Bowling pin respotting mechanism



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, R.L. HOLLOWAY ETAL 2,930,616

BOWLING PIN RESPOTTING MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 www QM 7 m k\ @N 9 QN\\ m R 1 MM.

THHG N .OR ELEM wmm IEON Y LEOPOLD STRAUSS lizvrvzafl 5 w ATTORN Y March29, 1960 Original Filed Aug. 18, 1950 $6 MNN law NEW Maw .QNb sww March29, 1960 R. L. HOLLOWAY ET AL BOWLING PIN RESPOTTING MECHANISM OriginalFiled Aug. 18, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.4

VEN 0R8 ROBERT L HOLLOWAY T JOHN norm JOHN ZUEROHER March 29, 1960HOLLOWAY EI'AL 2,930,616

BOWLING PIN RESPQTTING MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 18, 1950 7Sheets-Sheet 4 fivsmons ROBERT L. HOLLOWAY T. JOHN BOHM JOHN ZUEROHER BYLEOPOLD STRAUSS ATTORI EY R. L. HOLLOWAY ET BOWLING PIN RESPOTTINGMECHANISM March 29, 1960 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Aug. 18, 1950INVENTORS ROBERT L. HOLLOWAY T. JOHN BOHM JOHN ZUERGHER BY LEOPOLDSTRAUSS ATTORN March 29, 1960 R. L. HOLLOWAY ETAL 2,930,616

sowuuc PIN RESPOTTING MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 18, 1950'7Sheets-Sheet 7 FI|G.17

INVENTORS ROBERT L. HOLLOWAY T. JOHN BOHM JOHN ZUERGHER BY LEOPOLDSTRAUSS BOWLING PIN- RESPOTTING MECHANISM Robert L. Holloway, Snyder,and Toivo John Bohm, Clarence Center, N.Y., John Zuercher, Mansfield,Ohio, and Leopold Strauss, East Rockaway, N.Y., assignors to AmericanMachine & Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Originalapplication August 18, 1950, Serial No. 180,174, now Patent No.2,781,195, dated February 12, 195:7. Divided and this applicationDecember 28, 1955, Serial 13 Claims. (Cl. 273-43) automatic bowling pinspotting machines, there are al,

ways present problems affecting the delivery of bowling pins "from thepit of a bowling alleywith which a pin spotting machine is associated,and distribution of the "pins to a pin spotter operative to place pinsin a predeter: mined playing arrangement upon the playing bed'of abowling alley. Many attempts have been made ;in the past to solve theseproblems; and means have been reference to the playing bed of providedfor automatically setting pins on the playing structure has beenemployed which resulted in anex tremely heavy structure embodying pinspotting devices and pin respotting devices of such a nature-that partsthereof are relatively inaccessible, and make repairs and adjustmentsboth expensive and diflicult.

The present invention is directed towards solving the above notedproblems. The bowling pin spotting and respotting mecahnism, constructedin accordance with the invention, is both simple and easy to operate andinvolves the use of a minimum number of parts for accomplishing theseimportant purposes. The present invention includes a table or elevatorwhich is movable to and from the playing bed of a bowling alley andwhich is provided with separate pin spotting units, and pin respottingdevices operative to place bowling pins in playing arrange ment on thebed of a bowling alley, and after the rolling bed of a bowling alley. Insuch devices, complicated of the first ball of any frame, if pins remainstanding, I. such pins, whether standing in on or off-spot position onthe playing bed of the alley, are automatically gripped, lifted andreturned to substantially the same position each occupied before beinglifted.

This application is a division of application Serial No.

180,174, filed August 18, 1950, and now Patent No. 2,781,195.

An important feature of the respotting device is the provision of meanswhich, due to the rclative movement of the table with respect tostanding pins, are operated upon engagement with such standing pins toeffect the firm gripping of such pins whether on or off-spo" for liftingand return to their exact playing positions on the bed of the alley. v

The invention further takes into consideration the desirability ofloading the several pin spotter units not only when the pin spotting andrespotting table is held stationary, but also during at least a part ofthe travel of the table to and from the alley such that the several pinspotter units, usually ten in number, are filled with pins ready forspotting in the next frame in a minimum of 2,930,616 Patented Mar. 29,1960 time, thus greatly speeding up the play of the game. This resultsin a more efficient use of alleys with which machines, constructed inaccordance with the invention, are associated, and also contributes tothe satisfaction of each player because of the more rapid spotting andrespotting of pinsv on the bowling alley than can be effected by a pinboy who spots and respots pins manually.

it is an object of the invention to provide an improved pin respottingmechanism which spots and respots pins accurately upon the bowling bedof a bowling alley.

it is a further object of the invention to provide im-. provedrespotting mechanism including a table which is moved to and from theplaying bed of a bowlingalley, which table is provided with pin spottingunits, adapted to place a predetermined number of bowling pins, usuallyten bowling pins, in a desired playing arrangement, such as theconventional triangular pin playing arrangement, and respotting unitswhich respot any standing pins, after the rolling of the first ball of aframe in substantially the exact on or off-spot position each occupiedprior to being lifted or respotted.

The invention also includes an improved bowling pin spotting machinehaving a bowling pin spotting and re-v spotting table with which isassociated a travelling distributor for automatically delivering pinsone by one to spotting units carried by the table, which tableat theproper time is moved into pin spotting relationship with a bowling alleysuch that upon actuation of the spotting units, pins carried thereby wedeposited in playing arrangement uponthe-playing bed of the alley.

The invention is also characterized by a novel bowling pin, spotting andrespotting table movable to and from the playing bed of a bowling alley,which table is furnished with a plurality of triangularly arranged moveable spotting units adapted to place pins in playing arrangement uponthe playing deck of a bowling alley and pin actuated respotting unitsoperative in response to the movement of the table towards the bowlingalley after the rolling of the first ball of a frame to operate the pinrespotting units corresponding to standing pins for gripping such pinsfor lifting by the table as it moves upwardly away from the alley andwhich, in response to the replacement of such lifted bowling pins on thealley in their on or off-spot positions, are actuated to release suchpins in order that When the table moves upwardly again, these pinsremain in their respotted positions on the alley.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a spot;

spotting and respotting pins, thus making it possible to provide asimple harmonic drive for actuating the table.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, theinvention consists in certain combinations and constructions which willbe hereinafter fully described, and then set forth in the claimshereunto appended. w

In the accompanying drawings which-form apart of this specification, andin which like characters, of refer.- ence indicate the same or likeparts:

Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating a preferred em:- bodiment ofthe invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation illustrating a preferred embodiment of therespotter control mechanism;

Figure 4 is a plan view taken on line 44 of Fig-v u Figure 5 is an endelevation taken on line 5:5 of Figure-3; 7

part of the mechanism Figure 6 is a view, partly in section, of a detailof one of the table operating connecting rods;

Figure 7 is a side elevation of one of the spotter units in pin spottingposition relative to the playing bed of a bowling alley;

Figure 8 is an end elevation of a spotting unit; Figure 9 is a plan viewof a spotting unit and a respotting unit;

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the same;

- Figure ll is a side elevation of a respotting unit gripping a pin tobe lifted for respotting;

Figures 12 to 16 inclusive illustrate successive steps in the lockingunlocking of the grippers of a respotting unit; and

Figure 17 illustrates a suitable wiring diagram for op erating thespotting-respotting table.

i In the mechanism shown in Figure l, a device for liftdesignatedgenerally 350 adapted to respot bowling pins in on or off-spot playingarrangement on bed A of a bowling alley. Table T is mounted for movementto and from playing bed A of a bowling alley for spotting and respottingbowling pins thereon. Distributor D may be substantially the same inconstruction and operation as that shown and described in the abovereferred to Zuercher patent.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, pin distributor D consists of a pair of.U-shaped pin guide chutes 12 and 14, slideably arranged in a telescopicmanner in order to provide a guide chute which can be automaticallyextended or retracted in order to deliver bowling pins one ing pins fromthe pit of a bowling alley can be of similar construction and operationto that disclosed in R. L. Holloway et al. Patent 2,767,283, for BowlingPin Elevating Mechanism. Bowling pins lifted from the pit of a bowlingalley are distributed by a distributing device of a type similar to thatdisclosed in Zuercher Patent 2,767,984 for Pin Distributing and SpottingMechanism for Bowling Pin Spotting Machines. If desired, however, thebowling pin respotting mechanism, which forms a part of the presentinvention, may be used with other types of bowling pin spotting machineswith which it is adaptable' Therefore, it is not to be considered thatthe bowling pin respotting mechanism of the present application islimited in use to the devices shown in the above referred to patents.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodimentof the invention. Pins 11 are spotted and respotted on the playing bed Aof a bowling alley. Bowling pins 11 which are knocked down by a ball orby other pins, or which are removed from bed A by suitable means (notshown), fall into pit P upon the upper lap of conveyor 15, preferablycontinuously driven, which delivers them to a guide chute 17 extendingtransversely of the pit. Guide chute 17 directs the pins into a pinelevating mechanism, such as a rotary disc or drum designated generally19.

The bowling pin elevating mechanism can be similar in construction andoperation to that disclosed in R. L. Holloway et al. Patent 2,767,983.Disc 19 is mounted for rotation on a horizontal shaft 21 having one endjournalled in a bearing 23 attached to a channel member 25 suitablysecured to a cross frame member 27 extending transversely across the pitand bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the top of kickbacks 29. Theother end of shaft 21 is journalled in a bearing 31 suitably secured toframe member 33. Disc 19 preferably is rotated continuously at a desiredrate of speed by means of a pulley 35 secured thereto. Pulley 35 isdriven by a belt 37 from a driving pulley (not shown) driven from amotor or other suitable source of power (not shown) at a desired rate ofspeed, in a manner similar to that described in KL. Holloway et al.Patent 2,767,983.

Disc 19 is provided with a plurality of equally spaced pockets (notshown) into which pins are directed by chute 17, and wherein pins areretained by gripping rods (not shown) actuated by a cam (not shown) insuch manner that each pin, seated and held in a pocket, is elevated froma position adjacent the delivery edge of chute 17 to a pointsubstantially directly above, where it is released and falls free fromits respective pocket into a pin receiving and orienting chute 182 ofthe distributing mechanism on the distributor, designated generally D.Bowling pins, discharged from pit P of the bowling alley in the mannerdescribed hereinabove and elevated by pin elevating mechanism 19, aredelivered one by one by distributor D into pin spotting units orreceptacles 300 carried by table T. The latter also is provided withrespotting devices associated therewith and by one to the severalpockets 300 of table T. Guide chute 12 at one end is secured to a pairof spaced brackets 36, one of which is shown in Figure 1. Each bracket16 is provided withan extending hub rotatably supported in a bearing offrame bracket 22. Frame bracket 22 is provided with a stud 26 whichengages with a vertical bearing bracket 28, the upper face of which alsosupports frame bracket 22. Bearing bracket 28 is secured to a horizontalcross frame member 30.

The other end of chute or guide channel 12 is secured to the upperportion of a U-shaped member 32, the lower portion of which is providedwith a pair of hubs 34, one on each side of chute 12, although only onearm of member 32 and one hub 34 are shown in Figure 1. Secured in eachhub 34 is an end of a rod 36, the other end of which is connected to alug 20 forming an integral part of bracket 16. To the inner side of.each arm of U-shaped member 32 is pivotally mounted a roller'(n0tshown), each roller contacting and rolling on the top edge of ahorizontal rod 42, the rods having one end attached to a verticalbracket 44 and the other end provided with a lug 46 (Figure 2) pivotallysupported by a horizontal shaft 48. Also carried by member 32 arerollers which contact and roll along the side edges of rods 1 42. Rods42 are also connected to each other by means of a pair of tie rods (notshown) which maintain rods 42 parallel to each other and also provide asupport for pin guide channel 14 which is secured thereto. To the innerside of each vertical bracket 44 are pivotally attached rollers (notshown), one of which engages with and is adapted to roll on the top edgeof one of the rods 36, thereby providing a support for rods 42 andconsequently for pin guide channel 14. Each bracket 44 is also providedwith a guide roller 39 which engages the opposite side of its respectiverod 36 and provides proper guide means for bracket 44 as it moves alongrod 36.

The front or pin delivery end of pin distributor D is supported andguided by means of a beveled disc 56 and a guide roller (not shown) bothof which engage and run on and along a horizontal track 60 suitablyattached to the top of pin spotting and respotting table T. Beveled disc56 is keyed to a vertical stud 62 rotatably supported in a suitable hubof a bearing member 66 mounted on the front end of distributor D. Stud62 forms an integral part of a gear (not shown), driven by suitablegearing and clutch mechanism (not shown) to drive beveled disc 56 alongtrack 60 at the proper time for eflfecting the extension or retractionof parts 12 and 14 of distributor D in the delivery of pins to each ofthe several pockets 300 mounted on table T. Stud 62 is supported inbearing member 66 by suitable swiveled members such that at all timesduring the operation of distributor D and even when table T is moving upand down, stud 62 is maintained in a vertical position and beveled disc56 is properly associated with track 60 along which it moves by reasonof the engagement of teeth or notches on beveled disc 56 withcomplementary teeth or notches formed on the surface of track 60, asshown in Figme 2.

The mechanism for driving beveled member 56 includes a beveled gear'(not shown) loosely mounted on shaft 48 coasting with a clutch (notshown) having its driving part attached to shaft 48, the latter beingdriven by a pulley 142 attached thereto. Pulley 142- is driven by meansof a bowling pin conveyor belt. 146 from-a pulley 148 mounted on shaft150 supported in suitable bearings in bracket 22. Shaft 150 is driven bya sprocket (not shown) attached thereto from a motor or other'suitablesource of power. Belt 146 which conveys pins through distributor D isled from pulley 148 to pulley 142 over the bottom of the U-shapedchannel formed by guide chutes 12 and 14, over a tension pulley 166 anda guide pulley 168. Tension pulley 166 is freely mounted and floatinglysupported by means of a stud 170 and a pair of springs 172 anchored tosuitable pins 174 on brackets 44. Guide pulley 168 is rotatablysupported on a stud 176, the ends of which are supported by the arms ofU-shaped member 32.

Each bowling pin elevated by disc 19 when released therefrom drops intoa receiving chute 182 mounted in pin receiving position relative to disc19 and is oriented and guided thereby onto pin conveyor belt 146, whereeach pin is delivered butt end forwardly through chutes ,12 and 14 fordischarge therefrom into one of the pin spotting units 300.

An inclined guide plate 188 suitably attached to front bearing member66, and two spaced guide members 190 attached to the front end of theside walls of U-shaped guide chute 14, insure the proper discharge ofeach pin into a unit 300.

As illustrated in Figure 2, pin spotter units 300 on table T arearranged in a substantially triangular pattern conforming to thepositions pins occupy on bed A of the alley. Horizontal cam track 60,mounted on table T, which guides and controls the movement ofdistributor D to and from all spotter units 300, is of a heart-shapeddesign, Figure 2, and is provided with a number of stops 192 forstopping the movement of the distributor in proper dischargerelationship relative to the several pin spotter units 3th]. Since thestarting and stopping of the distributor movement do not constitute aspecific part of the invention, further description thereof is omittedin the interest of brevity. It is therefore deemed sufiicient to statethat after the delivery of a bowling pin to a spotter unit 300, thedrive of beveled member 56 is started and the distributor moves to thenext empty unit 300 for the delivery of a pin thereto.

As bowling pins are being moved by belt 146 forwardly for discharge fromdistributor D into pin spotter units 300, each pin engages a trip, suchas a disc 120, mounted on a shaft 121 connected to clutch operatingmeans (not shown) which sets into operation the movement of distributorD along cam track 64). As mentioned hereinabove, distributor D, whilemoving on heart-shaped track 60, through the mechanism described,

causes guide chutes 12 and 14 to move togetheror separate in a mannersimilar to the operation of the parts of Pin guide chute 14 telescopesin a slide trombone. I wardly and outwardly beneath chute 12. Themounting of pulleys 148, 142, 166 and 168 provides an automatic take-upand tensioning means for belt 146 and assures its proper operationregardless of the positions of guide chutes 12 and 14 when belt 146 iseffecting the discharge of a pin into a selected spotting unit 300.

Since distributor D, as stated, is designed to deliver pins to theseveral pinspotter units 3% not only when table T is stationary but alsoduring its ascending and descending movements, there is provided aparallelogram designated generally 282 for maintaining that part of thedistributor which supports beveled member 56 at the front or deliveryend of the distributor in a horizontal position in order that beveledmember 56 and its coacting roller (not shown) may always be disposedproperly relative to track 60. Parallelogram 282 includes a pair ofrods.284 pivoted to a horizontal stationary arm 286 which projects from andis mounted on frame bracket'22. The other pair of rods 288- is pivotedto a. vertical member zmwneh, forms an. in egr l part. of

the front bearing member66. Both pairs of rods 284 and 288 are pivotallyconnected to a bell-crank lever 292.

in the illustrated embodiment, table T consists of a generallytriangular frame designated 311. This frame is formed of side framemembers 312 arranged to form what may be termed the sides of thetriangle. The ends of members 312, which converge and form the apex offrame 311, are rigidly secured together, as by welding, by a plate 314.The other ends of members 312 are secured rigidly to brackets 316provided with spaced antifriction hearings in brackets 318 supportingthe. ends of a transverse rock shaft 320, the latter forming the base ofthe triangle of frame 311. Side members 312 and shaft 320 thus form abeam truss providing a light, rigid frame substantially resistant to anytwisting or bending forces which might occur in the operation of themachine. Side frame members 312 are also provided with lugs 322 havinghearings in which are mounted the ends of transverse rock shafts 324,326 and 328 which are parallel with rock shaft 326 and spaced apartequal distances one from the other.

As clearly shown in Figure 2, ten spotting units 300 are provided. Theseunits are mounted on table T in triangular arrangement and are operatedin such manner as to spot or place tenbowling pins in spotted playingarrangement on alley bed A. Obviously if desired, a different number ofunits 306 and different arrangement on table T could be used. Thearrangement shown conforms with approved rules of play.

Pin spotting units 300, adapted to hold and spot bowling pins numbers 7,8, 9 and 10 on corresponding spots on alley bed A are carried by rockshaft 320. Shaft 324 carries spotting units 300 adapted to hold and spotnumber 4, 5 and 6 pins in corresponding spots 4, 5 and 6 on alley bed A.Receptacles 3110 for holding and spottingnumber 2 and 3 pins oncorrespondingspots 2 and 3 on 'alley bed A are carried by shaft 326.Shaft 32$ suppc1ts fspotting unit 300 which holds and spots pin number-1 in its conventional spotted position on alley As indicated in Figures1, 2, 9, 10 and 11, adiacent each pin spotting unit 300 is located aguide which assists in the proper disposition of each pin in itsrespective unit3tl0. Referring to Figure 2, it will be seen thatspotting units, corresponding to pins #7 and #10, are provided with.curved guides 171 mounted on lugs 173 on brackets 316.- These guides 171insure that a pin ejected by belt 146 will be directed downwardly intopin spotting units 300 which hold pins which will be spotted in #7 and#10 positions on alley bed A. Mounted on shafts 324, 326 and 328, aredownwardly inclined pin holding members 175 which act both as guides andmeans for resiliently holding bowling pins in trough members 331 of pinspotting units 300 corresponding to pins which are to be spotted inposition numbers 2 to 10 inclusive on alley bed A. Each member 175 isprovided with a bent tail portion which presses resiliently against thetapered portion of a pin resting in a trough 330 with which a member 175is associated. Pinspotti ng unit 309, which supports and spots pin #1,is provided with a pin guide member 177 having an inclined elongatedguide portion 179 extendingt both below and above frame 312 of table T,and provided with end portions 181 suitably attached to brackets 314secured to frame members 312. Attached to brackets 345 of spotting units3% corresponding to No. 1 and No. 5 pins, are bridge plates 3111 and299, respectively. These plates bridge the distance from the stationpoints #1 and #5 on cam track 61) and thereby facilitate the passage ofpins from distributor D to the spotters indicated.

Since each of the several spotting units 3011 is essen tially the samein construction, it is deemed necessary to describe only one in detail.Referring to Figures ,1, 2, 7, 8, 9- and 10, a typical spotting unit 300includesau to locate half ring supports 336 assume elongated,generallyLi-shaped trough-like member or re- I above referred tofigures, or may be made. up of a plu- '-ra1ity of parts, into a rigidstructure which supports and spots a pin delivered thereinto in accurateplaying arrangement on bowling alley bed A. A bowling pin 11 deliveredfrom distributor D into a spotting unit 360 moves or slides along thebottom 332 of trough-like member 330 which is shaped to conformgenerally with the contour of a pin, and comes to rest thereon betweenspaced side walls 334 extending upwardly from bottom 332 with thetapered sides of the pin below its belly portion or section of maximumdiameter resting upon and supported by a half ring support 336 suitablyattached to bottom 332 and to the inner faces of walls 334 as by screws337. Side walls 334, as shown in Figures 7, 9 and 10, preferably areshaped to act as guides for a pin delivered to a unit 300, and also toprovide reinforcing and pin positioning shoulders 338, 340, such that apin held in a unit 306, see Figures 9 and 10, has its belly portionlocated between shoulders 340 and its head and neck portion betweenshoulders 338. Walls 334 also preferably are formed with flanges 342 anda stiffening bead 344 formed integrally with or attached thereto in anysuitable manner. In this way, a trough like'member or receptacle 330 maybe formed of relatively thin material and have sufiicient rigidity towithstand hard usage, and accurate spotting of pins thereby is assured.

As indicated in Figures 1 and 10, the trough-like member or receptacle330 of each spotting unit 300 is carried by table T with itslongitudinal axis inclined with the horizontal when in its normal pinreceiving and holding position. When bowling pins are to be spotted onalley A, each spotting unit 300 of the plurality of units carried bytable T, is swung clockwise, as viewed in Figure 1, to the positionshown by a single unit 360 illustrated in Figure 7. After the spottingunits 3063 have been swung to the position indicated in full lines inFig ure 7 and as table T moves downwardly to place the on alley bed, A,further downward movement of table T causes half ring support 336 tomove downwardly away from pin 11 in the direction of arrow E, whereuponeach pin 11 assumes an upright position on alley bed A, as shown indotted lines in Figure 7 Spotting units 300 are then swung rearwardlyclear of all standing pins, and table T rises, leaving a new set of pinson alley bed A.

The upper end of each trough-like member or receptacle 330 is attachedto a support bracket 345, as by rivets 346. Bracket 345 is provided withholes 348 through which extend bolts 352 threaded into support bracket354 of a respotting device 350, one of which devices 350 is associatedwith each spotter unit 300. When bolts 352 are tightened in bracket 354,brackets 345 and 354 are securely clamped to their respective supportshafts 320, 324, 326 and 328 and the sets of spotting units 390 andrespotting devices 350 are held thereby clamped on table T.

A key 356 inserted in keyways formed in transverse shafts 320, 324, 326and 328 and in support brackets 354 of each respotting device 350insures the proper lateral positioning of each set of spotting units 3%and respotting devices 350 on table T. Holes 348 in bracket 345 aresomewhat greater in diameter than the diameter of a bolt 352 whichallows a limited amount of adjustment of receptacles 330. Thisadjustment can be made by selective tightening of bolts 352 to securethe desired final adjusted positionof spotting devices 300. It will bebases of pins held therein are not only in on-spot position,

evident that by merely unscrewing bolts 352,:an entire cell caneasily beremoved for adjustment or repairs, or replaced by a new cell withoutdisturbing the remainder of the table system.

Since there are ten triangularly arranged respotting devices shown inthe embodiment of the invention selected for purposes of illustration,and each device 350 is identical in construction and operation, it isdeemed suiiicient to describe but one in detail. Referring to Figures 1,2 and 7 to 16 inclusive, each bracket 354 which supports a respottingdevice 350, is formed with two spaced arms 355. The outer face of eacharm 355 is provided with bosses 353 to which are attached, as by screws357, a horizontal guide track 358 provided with guide rails 360, onwhich run rollers 362 rotatably mounted in spaced relation at the top ofa gripper jaw cam carriage 364. In the illustrated embodiment, each camcarriage 364 is provided with a pair of spaced guide or cam tracks 366formed integrally therewith and located along the side vertical edges ofcarriage 364. A roller 370 pivotally mounted on each upwardly extendingarm 372 formed integrally with the transverse pin gripper jaw orclamping bar 374, engages with and runs upon each track 366. Asindicated in Figure 8, clamping bar 374 is provided with two arms 372formed integrally therewith at its ends.

Each respotting device 350 is provided with two opposed, independentlymovable elongated pin gripping jaws or clamping bars 374. Each arm 372also mounts rollers 378 adapted to roll on an elongated guide member 380mounted for parallel movement relative to horizontal guide tracks 358.Each guide member 386 is provided with rails 382 on which rollers 37%run. The axes of the pivots of rollers 3781 and 378 lie in the samehorizontal line, such that at all times during the movement of rollers370 and 378 on guide tracks 366 and rails 382, respectively, pingripping jaws or clamping bars 374 are maintained substantially parallelwith the surface of alley bed 'A. Each pin gripping jaw or clamping bar374 preferably is provided with a resilient gripping surface 376, suchas sponge-rubber, felt, or other suitable resilient material in order toprevent damage to a pin when gripped thereby. In the embodimentillustrated, sponge rubber is used.

As shown in detail in Figures 10, 11 and 12, each cam track 366 on camcarriages 364 is provided with an upper generally straight portion 367and a lower outwardly 'diverging straight portion 363 connected by acurved portion 371. The lower end of each cam track 366 is provided witha stop plate 373 preferably formed integrally therewith. Plates 373prevent rollers 370 from running off rails 366. End plates 381preferably formed integrally with guide member 380 prevent rollers 378from runnning off rails 382. Plates 359 formed integrally with tracks358 prevent rollers 362 from running off rails 360 of tracks 353' Thedesign of cam tracks 366 is such that when gripping jaws 374 are ininoperative position, they are held apart, as shown in Figures 10 and12. When,

however, table T is moved downwardly and standing pins are to be lifted,each jaw 374 of a respotting device 350, which is operated, is moved, asdescribed hereinafter, into gripping engagement with such pins, and heldby upper portion 367 of cam tracks 366 in such engagement until a pinheld thereby is respotted.

As shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, each pair of opposed elongatedgripping jaws 374 is adapted to grip for lifting and respotting standingbowling pins which but which have also walked or moved off-spot asubstantial distance.

Each respotting device 359 includes a block member designated generally386 which is pivotally linked to bracket 354 for substantially verticalmovement. When gripping jaws 374 of a respotting device 35% are locatedin spaced or inoperative position, as shown in Figures 10 and 12, block386 is located in its lower position for a purpose to be describedhereinafter. I Block member 386 is provided with a pin contacting orclamping portion having a flat under-surface 387 which serves to engageand clamp standing pins firmly upon the playing bed A of a bowling alleywhen such pins are to be gripped by is such as to provide a wide contactclamping area relai tive to the head of a bowling pin standing on oroff-spot on a bowling alley. This arrangement is such that when all tenrespotting devices 358 are taken into consideration, bowling pins whichhave walked or have been moved oft spot a substantial distance, will begripped, lifted and respotted on their oiI-spot positions. In thismanner, the positions of standing pins to be lifted may be laterally orlongitudinally ofiset with respect to the normal or spotted positioneach pin occupies and each .pin will be properly returned tosubstantially the exact position it occupied prior to being lifted. Asdescribed more in detail hereinafter, block member 386 also serves thedual purpose of locking gripping jaws 374 in pin gripping position, andeffecting the release of the jaws for the delivery of pins held therebywhen respotting the same in on or off-spot position on alley bed A.

When table T is lowered after the rolling of a first ball of a frame,and standing pins remain thereon for lifting and respotting, each suchstanding pin will be clamped firmly by a pad 388 attached to the flatunder-surface 387 of block 386. Pad 388 may be made of any suitableresilient material, such as sponge rubber, felt, or the like. In theillustrated embodiment, it is formed of sponge rubber. This allows eachpin gripped by clamping jaws 374 to be held theerby between pads 376with the top of the pin pressing against pad 388 on block 386 during thelifting operation of each pin and while it is being respotted on alleybed A. Block 386 is provided with an upwardly extending channel shaftprojection 390 having spaced arms supporting vertically spaced pivotpins 394 and 396. Pivotally attached to pivot pin 394 is a link 398having its other end pivotally mounted on pin 48% in arms 355 of bracket354. Pivo-tally connected to oivot pin 3% is a link 482 which isparallel with link 388. The other end of link 482 is pivotally connectedto a horizontal pin 4'84 mounted in arms 355, which pin is alsoconnected to spaced arms 486 of a bracket 488 to which is secured track68 on which runs the displacing mechanism of distributor I).

When table T is lowered by the operation of the table operatingmechanism, described hereinafter, the downward movement causes pad 388on the flat under-surface of block member 386 to engage with the upperends of any standing pins which remain standing on alley bed A. Thisengagement stops the descent of each block member 386 engaging astanding pin through downward movement of table T while the lattercontinues its downward movement. If a bowling pin, or pins, below arespotting device 358 is or are lying on the alley, as shown in Figure1, the operational position of such respotting device remains unchangedand undisturbed. However, if any pad 388 on under-surface 387 of a block386 of a respotting device 358 contacts the head of a bowling pm inregistration therewith regardless of the fact that it may be on oroff-spot during the descent of table T, star cam 428 rotatably mountedon a pin 419 in a vertical flange 422 is engaged by an actuating finger42d supported on a stud 426 extending from one of the flanges 428 of achannel member 429 attached to bracket 354. Actuating finger 424, asshown in detail in Figures 12-16 inclusive, may consist of a flat springmetal strip, such as steel, supported on pin 426 and held against excessdownward movement by means of an abutment 430 formed integrally with oneof the flanges 428. In this manner,

pin 11, raisesblo'ck '386 of the respotting device 'c'orresponding tothe standing pin to its maximum normal vertical limit, finger 424 comesinto engagement with star wheel or cam 420, see Figure 13., and turnsthe wheel during the relative upward movement of block member 386 anddownward movement of bracket 354 such that one of the two notches 432 isengaged 'by a cam lug 434 attached to or formed integrally with channelmember 429. A suitable friction or spring washer 421 on pin 419 holdsstar wheel or cam 420 against turning unless and until it is engaged byfinger 424 or lug 434. -As shown in Figure 14, when a notch 432 on starwheelor cam 420 is in engagement with cam lug 434, block 386 is lockedagainst downward vertical movement relative to table T, and morespecifically bracket 354. The same locking relationship obtains in allrespotting devices 350 which are positioned above standing pins.

As shown in Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12, an elongated guide bar 380 issecured, as by screws 384, in substantially horizontal position to theopposite ends of transverse block members 386. Each guide member 380 isprovided with 'a stop 381 at its ends to prevent rollers 378 fromrunning off the tracks 382 formed thereon. During the downward movementof table T, described above, and the clamping of any standing pins bypads 388 attached to the under surface of blocks 386 as described above,there will be caused an inward movement of each of the opposed grippers374 on each respotting device 358. The inward movement of each pair ofgrippers begins as soon as a pin standing in on or elf-spot position isengaged by a pad 388 of its respective spotting device. The downwardmovement of table T, which brings pads 388 in contact with the head endsof standing pins, causes the arrest of block 386 while table T continuesits downward movement, resulting in the movement of cam rollers 378along track portion 369 of cams 366 and a horizontal movement of rollers378 of each gripper jaw 374 along horizontal tracks 386, thereby causingrollers 378 to travel around curved portion 371 and finally move intovertically positioned portion 367 of cam tracks 366, this taking placeat approximately the time notch 432 of cam wheel 429 engages cam lug434. This operation results therefore not only in the locking of block386 against downward movement, but also in the positive locking togetherof each pair of opposed gripping jaws 374 of a respotting devicesurrounding a standing pin.

In the description given directly above, the operation of the severalrespotting devices 350 has been stated according to the manipulation ofthe parts relative to onspot pins to be gripped, lifted and respotted.In the event that a pin has walked cit-spot either laterally orlongitudinally, reference is made to Figure 10. If, for example, a pinhas moved to the left of the position indicated in Figure 10, it isobvious that the left hand gripper 374 would be the first to engage theside of the neck portion of the pin. Therefore, although there would becontinued downward movement of table T and relative upward movement ofblock 386, movement of left hand gripping jaw 374 would cease, since thepin is held firmly upon alley bed A by pad 388 attached to undersurface387 of block 386. Notwithstanding this operation,-'however, the righthand gripper 374 would continue to move towards the right hand side ofthe neck of pin 11 until it engaged the same and coacted with left-handgripper 374 to firmly grip the opposite sides of the head of pin 11.This operation is made possible by the construction and operation ofcarriages 364 on which are mounted cam tracks 366 because when themovement of one gripper jaw is arrested because of its engagement withthe side of a pin, carriage 364 shifts on rollers 362 which roll alongtracks 360 and re-center gripper jaws 374 with respect to thelongitudinal axis of a pin. In this manner, it is evident that whenevera pin is oil-spot and is to be lifted, each set of cam carriages 364 ofa respotting device 350 automatically re-cente'rs the pair of grippingjaws 374 associated therewith for properly gripping pins for lifting andrespotting in their exact off-spot position.

Following the gripping of each standing pin, table T is raised, wherebythe several actuated respotting devices lift the on or off-spot pinsabove alley bed A from which deadwood is removed by any suitable means(not shown). Table T is again lowered for respotting pins lifted therebyinto proper respotted position on alley bed A. As soon as the butt endsof each pin engage alley bed A, continued downward movement of table Tcauses cam lug 434 to be moved out of its engagement with notch 432, andfinger 424 presses against one of two tails 436 on cam or star wheel420, turning it to the position shown in Figure 15. This effects therelease of all respotted pins from the sets of gripping jaws 374 of theseveral respotting devices which were operated. As table T returnsupwardly in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 16, block 386moves to the position shown in Figure 10, and relative separationbetween bracket 354 and tracks 358 carried thereby and tracks 380carried by block 386,

' effects the spreading apart of the gripping jaws 374 to the positionsindicated in Figure 10. The downward move- ,ment of block 386 and theupward movement of bracket .354 as the result of upward movement oftable T to its dwell position above alley bed A, cause cam lug 434 toengage a side of one of the tails 436 on cam wheel 420-.

This repositions and readies cam wheel 420, as shown in Figure 16, forthe next locking operation of gripping jaws 374 as the result of theupward movement of block 386 when upon the next downward movement oftable .T, block 386 is engaged by the head end of a standing pin to belifted and respotted.

Attached to or formed integrally with each bracket 316 is an elongatedvertical extension 438, to each of which are pivotally connected upperand lower radius arms 440, 442 respectively, which maintain table T in asubstantially horizontal plane at all times, both during its movement toand from alley bed A, and when table T dwells above alley bed A.Extensions 438 preferably are formed from tubular metal stock forstrength and also because of their lightness as compared with solidmetal. Radius arms 44%, 442 are also pivotally connected to supports 444attached to cross frame member 27. Also pivotally connected to brackets316 in any suitable manner are stabilizing arms 446, the latter beingpivotally joined to brackets attached to cross frame men1- ber 27.Stabilizing arms 446 prevent side sway of table T. Springs 447 eachhaving one end attached to extension 438 and the other end attached to abracket 451 on a support 444, balance the weight of table T and assist Iin assuring its smooth movement to and from alley bed A. As shown inFigures 1 and 2, radius arms 440 and 442, and arms 446 are provided attheir ends with adjustable connections. This arrangement provides meansfor adjusting the position of table T longitudinally, and/or laterally,and also for leveling it. These adjustments, together with theadjustable supports of spotter units 364), and respotter devices 350,make it possible to obtain great accuracy in spotting and respottingpins on bed A.

Table T is supported above playing bed A of a bowling alley, asindicated in Figure l, for movement to and from the alley bed forspotting and res-potting pins thereon by a frame including spaced sideframes 45% mounted on kickbacks 29 of the bowling alley. Each side frameis formed of two uprights 452 and a longitudinal frame member 454. Theside frames are connected together by cross members 456, 457. Attachedto members 454 are transverse strips 458 on which is mounted motor 460which is responsible for the movement of table T to and from alley bedA. Motor 460 has operationally associated therewith a conventional gearreduction mechanism enclosed in housing 462, which mechanism through aconventional type one-revolution clutch K1,

drives a shaft604 at a desired rate of speed. The operation of clutch K1and a cam 606, Figures 5 and 17,

secured to shaft 604 will be described in detail hereinafter. Alsosecured to shaft 604 is a sprocket 608, Figure 5, tracking a chain 610which drives, at a one to one ratio, a sprocket 612 secured to shaft464. Attached to each end of shaft 464 is a crank arm 466, each crankarm mounting in its free end a stud shaft 463 to which is pivotallyattached an eye 470 having formed integrally therewith a threaded rodportion 472 threadably secured in a connecting rod or table supportingrod 474, which rod at its lower end, see Figure 1, has threadablysecured thereto an eye 476 mounted for free movement on the end of shaft324. When, therefore, motor 460 is set into operation and shaft 464 isrotated, crank arms 466 will cause table T to be lowered and raised withrespect to ailey bed A for spotting and respotting pins thereon. Thismechanism allows the spotting and respotting opera tions of table T tobe effected at the same height above bed A, and permits the use of thesimple harmonic drive described.

Referring to Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5, loosely mounted upon and adjacentone end of shaft 464 is a sprocket 478 having formed integrallytherewith, or suitably attached thereto, a hub 484 provided withupstanding lugs 482 supporting a pivot pin 434 to which is pivotallyconnected one end of a link 486, the other end of link 486 beingpivotally connected by a pin 488 in a fork formed in lever 49% keyed toa stud shaft 492 mounted in a bearing bracket 494 secured to theunderside of one of the longitudinal side frame members 454. Sprocket478 is tracked by a sprocket chain 496 running on a sprocket 498 fixedto shaft 468. Also attached to shaft 468 is a crank arm 566 providedwith a fork supporting a pin 502 on which is pivoted a connecting rod564, the other end of which is connected to a pin 505 in an arm 506 of abell crank lever 508 secured to and adjacent one end of shaft 324. Thisbell crank lever is also provided with an arm 510 to which is connecteda link 512 connected in turn to a lever 514 attached to shaft 320.Adjacent the other end of shaft 324 is a bell crank 509, similar inconstruction to bell crank 598, having an arm 511 to which is connectedone end of a link 513, the other end of which is attached to a lever 514secured to shaft 326*. Also attached to shaft 324 are levers 516, toeach of which is connected a link 513, these links being connected tolevers 526 attached to shaft 326. Attached to shaft 326 are levers 522having pivotally connected to their free ends links 524, which in turnare connected to levers 526 secured to shaft 328. The link and leverconstruction just described, provide for the simultaneous movement ofeach of the ten spotting units 360 from pin I holding position indicatedin Figures 1, 9 and 10, to pin spotting position indicated in Figure 7.

Springs 5238 perform the function of balancing the weight of the severalpinspotting units 366 and also assist in returning them to their pinreceiving and holding positions after the spotting of a set of pinsthereby on alley bed A. Also during the actual spotting operation,springs 528 are instrumental in effecting the release movement ofspotting units 390, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 7.

One of the springs 523 has an end attached to pivot pin 505, the otherend being attached to a bracket 530 secured to a bracket 316. The otherspring 528, shown at the top of Figure 2, has one end secured to a. pin532 carrier by arm 597 of lever'549, the other end of the spring beingattached to a bracket 53! also attached to a bracket 316.

When bowling pins are to be spotted on bowling alley bed A, solenoid540, mounted on a bracket 541 attached to cross frame 457, is energized.This causes the upward movement of the armature of solenoid 540 androcks bell crank lever 542 to which the armature is attached on shaft543 mounted in bracket 541 swinging arm 544 on lever 542 to the left, asshown in dotted lines in Figure 3, disengaging cam follower 546 on arm544 from latching engagement with a cam surface formed on lock arm 548of lock lever 550, the latter being keyed to shaft 492. An adjustableset screw 549 mounted in bracket 541 is provided in order to properlyposition cam follower 546 on lock arm 548. Lock lever 550 is providedwith an adjustable pin 552 adapted to engage a lateral projection orextension 554 on cam lever 556 loosely mounted on shaft 492. Cam lever556 is provided with a cam follower 558 tracking a cam 560 attached toshaft 464.

A spring 562 having one end attached to pin 488 and its other endsuitably attached to a bracket 564 attached to a side frame member 454tends to pull lever 490 to the right, as viewed in Figure 3, wherebywhenever solenoid 540 is energized, pin 552 is held pressed againstprojection 554, and cam follower 558 on lever 556 is held resilientlyagainst the surface of cam 560. It will be seen, therefore, that whensolenoid 540 is energized, cam follower 558 is moved into engagementwith cam 56% due to the pressure exerted thereon by spring 562. Themovement of cam 560 with respect to cam follower 558 and the linkage andleverage described hereinabove, results in sprocket 478 being rotated inthe direction of the arrow shown in Figure 3, which results in therocking of crank arms 500, thereby eflecting a turning of shafts 320,324, 326 and 328, which when table T is located in position II, asindicated in Figure 1, results in the delivery of ten pins in spottedarrangement on alley bed A.

As shown in Figures 1 and 7, when rod 504 is moved downwardly due to therocking of crank arm 500 and springs 528 move past the dead center ofshaft 324, springs 528 effect the rearward movement of each of thetrough members or receptacles 330 away from the base of pins beingpositioned in spotted arrangement on the alley. This final movement doesnot take place until after the bases of the pins being spotted areactually on the alley bed A and ring portions 336 moved from the fullline position, shown in Figure 7, to the dotted line position indicatedtherein, at which time the gap between the ends of each ring is clear ofthe pin, the latter resting on the alley so that during the furthermovement of a trough-like member 330 to dotted position indicated inFigure 7, the pin is freed entirely from the receptacle 330 whichsupported it and placed it in spotted standing position on alley bed A.Following this action, and due to the continued rotating of shaft 464,and the action of cam 560 on cam follower '558, each trough member 336of a spotting unit 300 is moved substantially vertically upward and thenswung back to the pin supporting and holding position indicated inFigure On very rare occasions during the operation of the machine, itmay happen that a bowling pin will walk or be moved so far off-spot thatit cannot be gripped by gripping jaws 374 and will interfere with thedownward travel of table T to position II. In order to prevent damage tothe machine, such as breakage of parts, mechanism is provided forstopping the machine.

Referring to Figures 1 and 6, each rod 474 is provided with twotelescoping parts 474, 475. Part 475 carries a bracket 477 in which isfixedly mounted an adjustable rod 479 having its free end extendingupwardly through an opening in a plate 481 having a hub attached to rod4'74. A spring 483, encircling rod 474 and rod portion 475, bearsagainst bracket 477 and plate 481, normally tending to urge them apart.If for any reason, such as described, downward movement of table T toposition H is prevented, due to the telescopic arrangement shown indetail in Figure 6, spring 483 will be compressed and rod 47? willengage switch 485 in a normally closed circuit through the motor 460,breaking the circuit and stopping the machine, thereby preventingfurther downward movement of table T and preventing damage to themachine and breakage of parts.

Table T is mounted formovement to 'and' from alley :bed .A after 'eachfirst ball of a frame is rolled inorder to test for the presence orabsence of standing .pins. If all pins are knocked down by the firstball and a strike is made, table T moves up and then down and spots anew set of pins on the alley. If pins remain standing after the firstball of a frame is rolled, and the game of ten pins or king pins isbeing played, after lifting and respotting such standing pins in on oroffspot position on alley bed A, table T remains in its dwell positionabove alley bed A until after the second or last ball of the frame isrolled, and fallen and standing unwanted pins are removed by suitablemeans (not shown) and ejected into pit P. Table T then is :moveddownwardly .to spot a new set of pins on alley bed A, after which itmoves upwardly to its dwell position.

When each of the spotting units 300 is .moved to its spotting position,each respotting device 350 is also swung in a clockwise direction, asshown in Figure 7. This operation causes rollers 362 to roll by gravitydownwardly along tracks 35% and block 386 moves toward shaft 328 therebymoving carriages 364 and gripper jaws 3'74 out of centered relationship..On the return movement of spotting units 369 to pin receiving andsupporting position, see Figures 1 and 1.0, rollers 362 move back alongtracks 358 because of the movement due to gravity of block member 386and the coaction of rollers 370 with cam tracks 366 and rollers 378 withrails 382 of guide members 380 carried by block member 386. Rollers 370then engagestops 381 at the ends of tracks 380, carriages 364 arerecentered, and gripper jaws are returned to open positions ready togrip pins to be lifted and respotted.

Assuming that each of the ten pin holding receptacles 330 of pinspotting units 3% holds a bowling pin, and table T is in its uppermostposition, or position I, indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1, and alsothat there are no pins on the alley A, a new set of pins may be placedon the alley by the manual operation of push button 660. The closing ofcontacts 600]) energizes relay 662 which closes contacts 602i) andstarts motor 460, which through a conventional type one-revolutionclutch K1, drives shaft 604. The closing of contacts 6130b alsomomentarily energizes solenoid 614 which results in the inward movementof-armature 616 and a rocking of lever 615 which activates clutch K1 toconnect shaft 664 with motor 460. The closing of contacts 606a energizesa relay 618 thereby closing contacts 618b,

which energizes solenoid 540 and disengages cam follower 546 from lockarm 548 in the manner previously described. As shaft 604 rotates, cam606, secured thereto, efiects the closing of contacts 620 and causesrelays 692 and 618 to be held in by their respective contacts 662A and618a. Continued rotation of shafts 6G4 and 464 causes table T to descentto position I1, Figure 1, by means previously described, place a set often pins on the alley, and then return to its starting position, atwhich time, clutch K1 disengages shaft 604 from motor 466 and arreststhe rotation of shaft 604. At this time cam 666 opens its contacts 620,relays 602 and 618 fall out, motor 460 stops, and solenoid 546 isde-energize'd.

If, after a bowling ball has been rolled, a strike is made, the deadwoodis removed by suitable conventional means, not shown, and a new set ofpins placedupon the alley in the manner described above.

When a strike is not made, push button 622 is depressed. The closing ofits contacts 622a energizes relay 6192 thereby closing contact 66% whichmakes a circuit through motor 469 thereby starting motor 460. Theclosing of switch contacts 622a also energizes the coil of solenoid 614which 'actuates clutch K1 as previously described. The closing ofcontacts 62% energizes the relay 624. The closing of the latterscontacts 624b starts timing motor 626. The rotation of a cam 623,secured to shaft 636 of said timing motor, closes its contacts 632,

which holds in relay 624 through its contacts 624a. The

table descends, picks up standing pins in a manner previously described,returns to its starting position and stops when cam 606 opens itscontacts 620. The table T dwells in this position for a period which ispredetermined by the relative speeds of shafts 604 and 630. During thisperiod, a sweep (not shown) removes any deadwood. This also takes placewhen pins remain standing after the second ball of a frame has beenrolled. A cam 634, secured to shaft 630, then closes contacts 636momentarily, which reengages clutch K1 as previously described. Thetable descends and respots the pins picked up in a manner heretoforedescribed. The table then ascends and stops when cam 606 opens itscontacts 620. Continued rotation of cam 628 opens its contacts 632,relay 624 falls out, and timing motor 626 stops.

As previously mentioned, a safety switch 485 is provided. Referring toFigure 17, it will be seen that if switch 485 were to be opened, in themanner previously described, motor 460, or motor 460 and 626, would stopand prevent further downward movement of table T.

The above described invention may be varied in construction within thescope of the claims, for the particular device, selected to illustratethe invention, is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of thesame. It is not therefore to be restricted to the precise details l ofthe structure shown and described.

What we claim is:

1. Bowling pin handling apparatus comprising a table, means mountingsaid table for movement to and from the pin supporting bed of a bowlingalley, a plurality of individually substantially vertically movablepin-engaging and clamping heads mounted on said table, a set of opposedpin gripper jaws carried by said table in coacting relationship witheach of said heads, means mounting said gripper jaws for substantiallyhorizontal linear movement into and out of gripping engagement with thehandle end of a standing pin, a pair of spaced separate gripper jawactuating cam tracks mounted adjacent the opposite edges of saidclamping heads, means on each of said gripper jaws operativelyassociating a gripper jaw with one of said cam tracks, said headsnormally holding said jaws of said sets. of jaws in spaced openrelationship, whereby the handle end of standing pins may passtherebetween and engage the underside of said head, means for loweringsaid table to engage the undersurface of said heads with standing pins,and means actuated by the relative movements of said heads and saidtable for alternately maintaining and releasing said jaws in grippingengagement with the opposite sides of standing pins.

2. Bowling pin handling apparatus comprising a pin lifting table, aplurality of pin gripping devices mounted on said table, each of saiddevices including a substantially vertically movable clamping head, asupport for said head, means mounting said head on said support forsubstantially vertical movement, an elongated track mounted at each endof said clamping head, spaced elongated tracks mounted on said supportand substantially parallel with said tracks carried by said head, a pairof laterally spaced gripper actuating carriages, a plurality of rollerson said carriages running on said tracks on said support, a pair ofspaced cam tracks on each of said carriages, said cam tracks having twospaced substantially vertical sections and two downwardly inclinedoutwardly diverging sections, a plurality of rollers on said gripperdevices, means mounting a number of said lastnamed rollers to run insaid sections and another number of said last-named rollers to run insaid first named track, said gripper device being operative in responseto the downward movement of said table, and the engagement of a clampinghead with a standing on or olf-spot pin for moving said rollers in saidgripper devices upwardly in said cam tracks on said carriages to actuatesaid gripping device to grip on and off-spot bowling pins.

3. The invention defined in claim 2 including an upstanding fiange oneach of said pin clamping heads, a-

rotary locking member on each of said flanges, a locking finger on eachof said supports for said heads, said finger being operative in responseto its engagement with said rotary locking member for rotating saidmember to lock said gripper devices in pin gripping positions, saidfinger also being operative in response to the next downward movement ofsaid table for respotting pins lifted thereby for turning said lockingmember to release said grippers whereby said pins are respotted, andsaid grippers are restored to open pin receiving position, and means forrelocating said rotary locking member for engagement by said lockingfinger.

4. Bowling pin handling apparatus for use in a bowling pin spottingmachine, comprising a frame, a vertically movable table mounted in saidframe, a plurality of in dividually movable pin contacting and clampingheads mounted on said table, each of said heads having a substantiallyfiat, wide contact clamping area relative to the head of a pin to beclamped in standing on or oft-spot position on a bowling alley, a set ofopposed pin gripping jaws carried by said table in operative associationwith each of said heads, means normally maintaining said jaws in openpin receiving position with said head located therebetween, said meansincluding a plurality of cams, and cam followers on said jaws engagingsaid cams, an operating track carried on each end of said heads, camfollowers on said jaws engaging and rolling on said tracks, andmechanism for lowering said table to cause said heads to engage andclamp any pins standing on or off-spot on said alleyand position saidsets of grippers for movement into gripping engagement with the oppositesides of said standing pins, said cams and tracks being operative inresponse to the downward movement of said table relative to said headsclamping said standing pins on said alley to move said grippers inwardlyto grip said standing pins. 3

5. The invention defined in claim 4 including laterally spaced carriagesmounting said cams, rollers on said carriages, substantially horizontalguide means on said table supporting said rollers, whereby when astanding pin is ofi-spot on said alley, upon engagement of one of saidjaws of a set of jaws with said standing pin said carriage shifts tocenter said jaws for gripping said off-spot pin.

6. The invention defined in claim 4 including a locking member on eachof said heads, and a member on said table coacting therewith for lockingsaid gripper jaws in closed gripping relationship, said members beingoperative in response to the downward movement of said table inrespotting said gripped pins for automatically unlocking said jaws,whereby upon the next upward movement of said table said cams move saidjaws to open position.

7. Bowling pin handling mechanism for use in a bowling pin spottingmachine comprising a pin lifting table, a frame supporting said table,mechanism for moving said table to and from the pin supporting bed of abowling alley, a plurality of pin handling devices mounted on saidtable, each of said devices including a pin clamping head and meanssupporting said head for individual substantially vertically movement byand with respect to said table, opposed pin grippers operativelyassociated with each of said heads, means mounting each of saidgrippersfor substantially horizontal and linear movement into and out ofengagement with a side of the handle end of a standing on or offspotpin, means on said heads movably supporting said gripper mounting meanswhereby said grippers are moved inwardly by relative movement betweensaid table and head to engage a standing or offspot pin, said grippermounting means being laterally shiftable on said heads for centeringsaid grippers relative to ofispot pins to be gripped and lifted.

8. A respotting device for a bowling pin spotting machine comprising asupport, spaced elongated guide channels mounted on said support, a pairof laterally spaced carriages, rollers on said carriages engaging withand movable in said guide channels, longitudinally spaced cam guidechannels mounted on said carriages, a pin head engaging clamp platemounted on said support for substantially vertical movement, elongatedguide channels mounted on said clamp plate in substantially parallelrelationship with said first-named guide channels, a pair of opposedelongated grippers, each of said grippers having a roller engaging saidlast-named guide channel, and one of said cam guide channels, said camguide channels being operative in response to downward movement of saidtable and arrested downward movement of said plate due to engagement ofsaid plate with the head of a standing pin to move said grippers intogripping position.

9. A respotting device as defined inclaim 8 including means operative inresponse to the vertical upward movement of said plate for locking saidgrippers in gripping relationship.

10. The device defined in claim 9 including a latch actuated by saidplate for locking said grippers in pin gripping relationship, and meansactuated in response to pressure applied to the base of a bowling pinwhen said pin held by said grippers is respotted on a bowling alley forunlocking said locking means to effect the release of a pin from saidgrippers.

11. The invention defined in claim 10 including a frame movable to andfrom the playing bed of a bowling alley, means mounting said support onsaid frame, means for moving said frame towards said alley to bring theundersurface of said clamp plate in clamping engagement with the head ofa standing pin to hold said pin on said bed against movement wherebysaid clamp plate moves up wardly relative to the downward movement ofsaid frame, said movement of said plate moving said grippers towards theopposite sides of the handle end of a standing pin, said pin whenstanding ofi-spot being operative to shift said carriages on saidfirst-named guide channels and center said grippers relative to saidclamped standing ofifspot pin, and means for securing said grippers ingripping engagement with said pin.

12. The invention defined in claim 11 including means for lowering saidframe to respot said pin gripped by said grippers on said alley bed, andmeans operative in response to the re-engagement of said pin with saidalley bed for efiecting the release of said pin from said grippers.

13. Bowling pin handling apparatus comprising a pin lifting table, aplurality of pin gripping devices mounted on said table, each of saiddevices including a substantially vertically movable clamping head, asupport for said head, means mounting said head on said support forsubstantially vertical movement, an elongated track mounted at each endof said clamping head, spaced elongated tracks mounted on said supportand substantially parallel with said tracks carried by said head, a pairof laterally spaced gripper jaw actuating carriages, a plurality ofsupport elements on said carriages, means mounting said support elementsto run on said tracks on said support, a pair of spaced cam tracks onsaid carriage, said cam tracks having two longitudinally spacedsubstantially vertical sections and two downwardly inclined outwardlydiverging sections, first supports on said jaws, means mounting saidfirst supports for movement in sections, said second supports on saidjaws, means mounting said second supports for movement in said namedtrack, said gripper jaws being operative in response to the downwardmovement of said table, and the engagement of a clamping head with astanding on or ofi-spot pin for moving said first and second supports onsaid jaws in their associated tracks to grip on and oflF-spot bowlingpins.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,221,697 Ball Nov. 12, 1940 2,514,457 Schmidt July 11, 1950 2,530,385Frye Nov. 21, 1950 2,611,612 Schmidt Sept. 23, 1952 2,616,693 MontoothNov. 4, 1952 2,621,930 Mead Dec. 16, 1952 2,621,961 Whipple et a1. Dec.16, 1952 2,634,979 Schon Apr. 14, 1953 2,672,341 Flint Mar. 16, 19542,688,486 Hedenskoog Sept. 7, 1954 2,692,139 Dumas Oct. 19, 19542,705,145 Fluke et al. Mar. 29, 1955 2,736,554 Fluke et a1. Feb. 28,1956 2,740,631 'Montoothet al. Apr. 3, 1956

